Makoto Nagino
Japan
Makoto Nagino is a Japanese poker player who gained recognition with a High Roller win at the 2025 APT Incheon, earning $18,890. With four live cashes and an estimated net worth of $43,445, he is a notable figure in the Asian poker circuit.
Career Achievements
Nagino Makoto has participated in four live tournaments, achieving in-the-money finishes in all of them. His most significant result came at the 2025 APT Incheon (South Korea), where he won the 9-Game High Roller event with a buy-in of 3,000,000 KRW. Out of 24 entrants, he claimed the first-place prize of $18,890 (approximately 18.9K USD). This win accounts for his largest cash to date and contributes to his estimated live net worth of $43,445, as tracked by Somuchpoker.
Background
Beyond the felt, Nagino holds a graduate degree from the University of Tokyo, where he studied in the Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Nuclear Engineering. His Wantedly profile lists poker as one of his skills, alongside C++ and competitive programming, and he was a gold medalist in the Chemistry Grand Prix. This academic background underscores a disciplined approach that likely translates to his poker strategy, where he favors a calculated, tight-aggressive style. His consistent performance in mixed games, as shown by his 9-Game victory, indicates versatility and deep understanding of multiple poker variants.
Playing Style
Nagino is known for a solid and calculated style, often seen in Asian high roller events. While specific hand histories are scarce, his victory in a mixed-game format suggests adaptability and proficiency across disciplines. His relatively low number of recorded live tournaments (four) but high ITM rate (100%) points to selective participation and a focus on events where he has an edge. As he continues to travel the Asian circuit, he is expected to further build his resume and represent Japanese poker on an international stage.
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